The M1A2
Abrams main battle tank is a further development of the
M1A1.
Currently it is one of the best MBTs in the world. Development of
improved M1A1 began in 1988. About 1 200-1 500 M1A2 main battle
tanks were delivered to the US army. Out of this number
approximately 1 000 out-dated
M1
main battle tanks were upgraded to the M1A2 standard. It is planned
that this tank will remain in service beyond 2050. The M1A2 has been
exported to Kuwait (218) and Saudi
Arabia (457).

The Abrams
is protected by Chobham composite armor. Protection of the M1A2 was
improved by using depleted uranium mesh at the front of the hull and
turret. It offers significant protection against all known anti-tank
weapons, however overall weight increased comparing with the M1A1.
Protection of the M1A2 Abrams is considered as one of the best in
the world. All active service M1A1 tanks have been retrofitted with depleted
uranium armor. M1A2 tanks supplied to Kuwait and possibly Saudi Arabia
have downgraded armor without depleted uranium layers. Ammunition for the main gun is stored in the turret
bustle, fitted with blow-out panels. Interior is lined with Kevlar
liner for protection against spalling. The M1A2 Abrams can be fitted
with explosive reactive armor blocks. Some M1A2 tanks are
equipped with missile countermeasure devices, intended to detect and
jam guidance of the laser-guided missiles.

Vehicle is
armed with the M256 120-mm smoothbore gun, originally developed by
Rheinmetall and manufactured under license in USA. This gun is
loaded manually. The M1A2 has an improved fire control system and
its components. Range of effective fire in excess of 4 km. The
M1A2 has a target acquisition system with hunter-killer capability.
Many tanks produced in the early 90s lack this capability.

Vehicle has
a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

The M1A2
Abrams is powered by Honeywell AGT1500 multi-fuel gas turbine
engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. This engine can run on any
grade of petrol, diesel, kerosene, or jet fuel. Its main drawback
is a high fuel consumption and troublesome maintenance. Engine can
be replaced in field conditions within 30 minutes.

M1A2 SEP (or System
Enhancement Program) variant. It is a successor to the M1A2. It has
improved armor protection, improved system components, improved
computer components, and some other improvements. The SEPv2 (version
2) is fitted with remotely operated weapon station, armed with a
12.7-mm machine gun. First M1A2 SEP tank was delivered to the US
Army in 1999. There are at least 900 M1A2 SEP tanks in service. 240
of them were newly built. The over were upgraded to this standard
from the M1, M1A1 and M1A2 tanks;

Tank Urban
Survival Kit (TUSK) was developed for the Abrams series tanks to
improve their survivability in urban environment. Once kit is
applied the tank has improved protection, firepower and situational
awareness. The TUSK can be applied by the units in field conditions.